Side sill structure for railway flat car



United States Patent [111 3,540,384

[72] Inventor Asa Franklin Charles 2,851,963 9/1958 Sheehan 105/418 St. Charles, Missouri 3,078,814 2/1963 Gandlin et a1. 105/422 [21] Appl. No. 721,458 3,088,420 5/1963 Faverty et al. 105/422 [22] Filed April 15, 1968 3,440,971 4/1969 OLeary et al. 105/422 [45] 1,7"1970 Primary Examiner-Arthur L. La Point [73] Ass'gnee ACF Industries Incorporated Assistant Examiner-Richard A. Bertsch New York New York Attorney-Eugene N. Riddle a corporation of New Jersey R F R AILWAY FLAT CAR [54] SIDE SILL ST UCTURE o R ABSTRACT: A side sill structure for a railway flat car having 6 Claims 7 Drawing Figs. a generally flush or even deck surface with the side sill struc- [52] US. Cl. 105/4l8,. ture f i a generally smooth continuation of the deck sup 105/380; 280/145 face to provide a flush deck ofa maximum width for carrying [51] Int. Cl B6ld 17/00; containers and the like The side m structure includes an outer angle-shaped member and an inner angle-shaped [50] Field ofSearch 105/390, member joined to form the Side Si structure. The upper 418, 38O391;230/145 horizontal leg ofthe outer member forms a continuation of the deck surface and has openings therein to receive side stakes, i, [56] References Cited and the lower horizontal flange of the inner member extends UNITED STATES PATENTS outwardly beneath the openings to form supports for the lower 766,673 8/1904 Curley 105/390 ends ofthe side stakes.

Patented Nov. 17, 1970 Sheet xv ///A///// l FIG. 5.

SIDE SILL STRUCTURE FOR RAILWAY FLAT CAR BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Conventional side sills for railway flat cars normally project above the deck and provide an obstruction to loading and unloading operations from the side of the flat car. Also, conventional side stake pockets extend outwardly from the side sills to receive side stakes. Such a design limits the width of the deck as Association of American Railroads (AAR) clearance diagrams restrict the maximum widths of railway fiat cars.

The present invention provides a railway flat car having a maximum width deck within the AAR plate B clearance diagram and with side sill structures forming a continuation of the deck surface. Since a side sill structure along each side of the deck forms a continuation of the deck surface, a full 9-feet wide deck is provided for the entire upper deck surface. The side sill structures do not project above the deck and do not obstruct the surface of the deck in any manner. In the event the flat car is employed for the transport of containers or the like, loading and unloading equipment having arms which extend beneath the containers may easily be employed and are not obstructed by any side sills.

The side sill structure of this invention has so-called builtin" stake pockets while forming a continuation of the deck surface to provide a maximum width deck. The side sill structure includes outer and inner angle-shaped members joined together. The outer member has an upper inwardly extending horizontal leg secured to the deck plate to form a continuation thereof and a plurality of spaced openings to receive side stakes or the like. The inner member has a lower outwardly extending horizontal leg beneath the openings for supporting the lower ends of the side stakes thereon.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which two possible embodiments of the invention are illustrated:

FIG. 1 is a top plan of a railway flat car embodying the present invention and illustrating one-half the length of the car;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the railway flat car shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross section taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial cross section taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. I and illustrating the opening for the side stake;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragment of FIG. 2 illustrating the side stake pocket; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged section of a modification in which an arrangement is provided to accommodate pedestals for supporting the lower corners of containers.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of this invention, a railway flat car is indicated generally 10 and has a deck or floor plate 12 thereon. A center sill indicated generally 14 and having a pair of vertical webs 16 extends longitudinally of railway flat car 10. Crossmembers 18 extend outwardly from webs 16 and stringers 20 are secured between deck 12 and crossmembers l8. Transverse webs 22 are secured between vertical webs 16 of center sill 14. Struts 24 are secured between the outer end portions of crossmembers l8 and the outer surfaces of webs 16.

A bolster structure generally indicated 26 is illustrated in FIG. 3 and includes a center plate 28 adapted to receive the center pin (not shown) of a suitable truck. Spaced vertical bolster webs 30 extend transversely of the car beneath deck 12 and a lower cover plate 32 extends transversely of the car beneath webs 30.

The side sill structure comprising the present invention is generally indicated 36 and extends longitudinally along each side of deck 12. Side sill structure 36 includes an outer angleshaped member 38 and an inner angle-shaped member 40 joined to each other. Outer member 38 has an upper horizontal leg 42 extending inwardly beneath deck 12 and welded thereto for forming a general continuation of the upper deck surface. A lower vertical leg 44 extends downwardly from leg 42 to the AAR clearance line C and forms the outer side surface of railway car 10. Spaced along the length of outer member 38 in horizontal leg 42 are openings 46 which are adapted to receive a side stake S therein shown in broken lines in FIG. 5. Extending downwardly from the underside of web 42 is vertical web 48 of inner member 40 which extends downwardly a distance at least twice the vertical extent of vertical leg 44. An outturned lower flange or leg 49 of member 40 extends outwardly substantially to the AAR clearance line C and is positioned beneath openings 46 in leg 42 to support the lower end ofa side stake S.

Forming a box-shaped sleeve or pocket below each opening 46 for receiving side stake S is a generally channel-shaped member 50 secured by welding to the outer face of vertical web 48 beneath each opening 46. Channel-shaped member 50 includes a generally vertically extending plate member 52 secured adjacent the inner surface oflower leg 44 and extend ing downwardly to the AAR clearance line C. Transverse webs 54 extend between plate member 52 and the inner face of vertical web 48 to form a sleeve extending downwardly from each opening 46. Plate member 52 is tapered inwardly to direct side stake S against vertical web 48 and to provide a wedge-type fitting for side stake S. Side stake S may be beveled adjacent its lower end to be within the AAR clearance line C.

The arrangement of side sill structure 36 as shown permits the utilization of the entire width of car 10 as a lading support surface. A width W of 9 feet is provided when utilizing the upper leg 42 as a portion of the deck surface. This arrangement also permits side stakes to be employed with the side stakes being received by the adjacent side sill structure 36. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, inner member 40 has its vertical web 48 of a smaller vertical dimension adjacent bolster structure 26 and a lower channel-shaped reinforcement 56 is secured beneath bolster lower cover plate 26.

As shown in FIG. 7, a modification is illustrated which is particularly adapted to be utilized with pedestals for supporting the lower corners of containers. Deck 12A has a longitudinally extending slot 58 which forms a guideway for pedestals to slide along for positioning at selected intervals along the deck to accommodate containers of various lengths. Angle 60 is secured beneath deck 12A and has a slot 62 therein. Horizontal leg 42A of outer member 38A has a slot 64 therein. Reinforcing webs 66 are spaced along the length of outer member 38A between vertical leg 44A and vertical web 48A- of inner member 40A. Cooperating projecting lugs on the underside of suitable pedestals engage slots 62 and 64 for positioning the associated pedestals thereat. Slots 62 and 64 are spaced along the length of guideway 58 for positioning at selected intervals. For further details of a suitable pedestal or corner support, reference is made to US Pat. No. 339L654 dated July 9, I968 and entitled Railway car", the entire dis closure of which is incorporated by this reference.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results obtained.

Iclaim:

I. In a railway flat car having a generally flat deck; the improvement of a side sill structure extending longitudinally of the car along each side thereof and having an upper horizontal surface generally flush with the upper surface-of the deck, each side sill structure including generally angle-shaped inner and outer members, said outer member having an upper inwardly extending horizontal leg lapping the deck and secured thereto to form a continuation of the deck surface and an outer vertical leg extending downwardly from the horizontal leg to form the outer side of the associated side sill structure, said horizontal leg having a plurality of openings therein spaced along the length of the car and adapted to receive side stakes or the like therein, said inner member comprising a vertical web secured beneath said deck in inwardly spaced relation to said vertical leg and extending downwardly a distance substantially greater than the extent of said vertical leg, said inner member including a lower flange extending outwardly in a generally horizontal direction away from the lower end of said vertical web and spaced vertically a substantial distance below the lower edge of the vertical leg of said outer member, said lower flange being positioned beneath the openings in the horizontal leg of said outer member and adapted to support the lower ends of side stakes or the like received within the openings.

2. A railway flat car as set forth in claim 1 wherein the outer surface of said vertical web defines the inner portion of said openings, and an outer generally vertical plate member is secured adjacent the inner face of the vertical leg of said outer member adjacent each opening to define the outer portion of the associated opening, said outer plate member being tapered inwardly to direct a side stake or the like inwardly toward the vertical web.

3. A railway flat car as set forth in claim 1 wherein a boxshaped stake pocket extends about each of the openings in the horizontal leg of said outer member, said box-shaped stake pocket comprising an outer generally vertical plate member secured adjacent said vertical leg of said outer member, and a pair of transverse webs extending between the outer plate member and the inner surface of said vertical web thereby to define the opening for a side stake or the like.

4. In a railway flat car having a generally flat deck; the improvement of a side sill structure extending longitudinally of the car along each side thereofand having an upper horizontal surface generally flush with the upper surface of the deck, each side sill structure including generally angle-shaped inner and outer members, said outer member having an upper inwardly extending horizontal leg lapping the deck and secured thereto to form a continuation of the deck surface and an outer vertical leg extending downwardly from the horizontal leg to form the outer side of the side sill structure, said inner member comprising a vertical web secured beneath said deck in inwardly spaced relation to said vertical leg and extending downwardly a distance substantially greater than the extent of said vertical leg, said inner member including a lower flange extending in a generally horizontal direction from the lower end of said vertical web and spaced vertically a substantial distance below the lower edge of the vertical leg of said outer member.

5. A railway flat car having a maximum width of around 9 feet within AAR clearance limits and comprising, a deck, a side sill structure extending longitudinally along each side of the deck and having an upper horizontal surface generally flush with the upper surface of the deck, each side sill structure including generally angle-shaped inner and outer members, said outer angle-shaped member having an upper inwardly extending horizontal leg lapping the deck and secured thereto to form a continuation of the deck surface and an outer vertical leg extending downwardly from the horizontal leg substantially to the AAR clearance limit to form the outer side of the side sill structure, said inner member comprising a vertical web secured beneath the deck in inwardly spaced relation to said vertical leg and extending downwardly a distance at least around twice the vertical extent of said vertical leg, said inner member including an integral lower flange extending outwardly from thelower end of said vertical web in a generally horizontal direction substantially to the AAR clearance limit and spaced vertically a substantial distance below the lower edge ofthe vertical leg ofsaid outer member.

6. In a railway flat car having a generally flat deck; the improvement of a side sill structure extending longitudinally of the car along each side thereof and having an upper horizontal surface generally flush with the upper surface of the deck, each side sill structure including an outer vertical leg extending downwardly to form the outer side of the side sill structure and an inner vertical web secured beneath said deck in in wardly spaced relation to said vertical leg, the side sill structure including a generally horizontal leg between the inner web and the outer vertical leg which forms generally a continuation of the deck surface, said horizontal leg having a plurality of openings therein spaced along the length of the car and adapted to receive side stakes or the like therein, the outer surface of said inner vertical web defining the inner portion of the openings, and means on the inner surface of said outer vertical leg to direct a side stake or the like inwardly toward the inner vertical web. 

